Improving livelihood by increasing livestock production in Africa: An agribusiness model to commercially produce high quality insect-based protein ingredients for chicken, fish and pig industries

Donor:

Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NOW)

Period:

2016 -2019 

Budget:

€600,000 

Target countries:

Kenya

Summary:

ILIPA was a collaborative project between icipe and Wageningen University, The Netherlands. The initiative aimed to exploit the commercial potential of insects, mainly the black soldier fly (BSF), in the production of affordable, high-quality protein for the poultry, pig and fish industries.

To create an effective agribusiness model, the project partners conducted research that ensured high nutrition and microbial safety of the insect- based protein products. The research also focused on creating awareness and identifying market opportunities in production of insect-based protein for the livestock industry.

The project worked with youth and women farmer groups to build their capacity to rear BSF and market thereby ensuring farmer participation in establishment of intensive insect-based agribusiness enterprises. The consortium engaged in research to high nutrition and microbial safety of the insect-based protein products.